For anyone interested in volunteering with a Delaware-based bike project:

In the past I talked a lot about the Wilmington's Urban Bike Project (I should probably check into what they're doing these days), but now there's also a Newark Bike Project.  They've already got a lot of activities on the books, from a bike sale to basic maintenance classes, but they're in need of more volunteers:

"There will be a meeting in regards to volunteer opportunities and to form committees next Tuesday, February 21th at 7:00pm in Gore Hall, room 116.

There are a number volunteer roles that need to be filled at NBP; among these rolls are Bike Mechanics, Bike Drive Coordinators, Education Squad, Bike Clinic Club, Web Master Faction, Bike Sales Outfit, etc.

If you are interested in leading or cont...ributing to any of these endeavors, or have ideas about other roles to help support NBP, please come! You're encouraged to bring friends and others who may want to get involved with NBP. Our needs range from time donated to fix bikes all the way to administrative tasks like seeking out and writing grants.

Thank you to everyone who has made the first week of our Basic Mechanic's Training class a success! We hope to continue offering programs like this and further community classes on all things related to biking in Newark.

Thank you in advance, this project requires a lot of coordination between us all!"

Like to bike on the trails of White Clay Creek State Park?

Then this is your chance to have a say in the matter of new bike trails for the park.  The parks department has created a plan for new White Clay Creek bike trails, and they're looking for input from the public.  On August 10th the input will be reviewed, and the plan will either be finalized or revised.  The Bike Delaware blog has the full explanation on how to submit comments: http://bikedel.blogspot.com/2011/08/white-clay-creek-trail-plan-comments.html

Urban Bike Project announces two "re-grand opening" events.

Thursday 6:30-9pm, and Saturday from 1-4pm.  The location is 1908 N. Market St., Wilmington 19801.

The UBP is Wilmington's grass-roots organization that provides bike and bike mechanic skills to impoverished children in Wilmington.  Last month, they were vandalized and robbed of all inventory.  But bike donations poured in, and they're ready to re-open.  From UBP:

"RE-GRAND OPENING!! This Thursday, 6:30-9:00pm & Saturday, 1:00-4:00pm. Come check out all the GREAT new inventory. Volunteer for our BIKE FIX on Tuesday night, 8/2, and get First Choice on ANY inventory. BMX, ROAD, MOUNTAIN, HYBRID, KIDS, NEW & USED PARTS! We've got it all thanks to the BOUNDLESS generosity & outreach from our community & supporters....that's You!"

Bike donations pour in for Urban Bike Project at an annual meeting of the White Clay Bicycle Club.

As mentioned earlier, the Urban Bike Project, which provides bikes and bike maintenance classes to youths in Wilmington, was heart-breakingly vandalized and robbed of all of their inventory a couple of weeks ago.  The good news is that donations have been pouring in since then, especially from the members of the White Clay Bicycle Club, who hauled dozens of bikes of all kinds, many in new condition, to UBP's warehouse on North Market Street last Saturday. 

The other silver lining is that many people who were previously totally unaware of UBP's mission are now aware, and sympathetic.  UBP just might come out of this as a bigger presence in Wilmington than they were before the robbery.

From a post on Bike Delaware: http://bikedel.blogspot.com/2011/07/donations-for-ubp-pour-in-at-wcbc.html

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Update from the UBP:

"UBP will be BACK on TRACK next week, August 4th! Thanks to the many MANY individuals, organizations, and agencies who have given their time, talents and donations to helping our mission and keeping our doors open to the community! Thank you just doesn't seem to say enough. - UBP"

Update on Urban Bike Project, which was robbed and vandalized a few days ago:

"UBP's Open Shop, normally Thur & Sat, will remain CLOSED this week, but generous donations are rapidly coming in. If you would like to help, please consider volunteering for a bike pick-up at WCBC picnic THIS sat, 7/23, or our Bike Rebuild Event next Wed, 7/27. Check out urbanbikeproject.org for more details. Thank you EVERYONE for your many e-mails and continued generosity & support to our mission! - UBP"

Reposted from Bike Delaware News:

http://bikedel.blogspot.com/2011/07/urban-bike-project-robbed-vandalized.html

Urban Bike Project robbed, vandalized and depleted of all its inventory

Special message from Laura Saperstein, Volunteer Coordinator, Urban Bike Project

It is with heavy heart that I share with you our sad news. Today, when one of our crew arrived at the Urban Bike Project, it was only to discover that it had been vandalized and depleted of all its inventory some time throughout the night.

For this reason, I must tell you that Open Shop, our regularly scheduled hours on Thursdays and Saturdays, will be CLOSED until further notice. For all those who have signed up to volunteer at Open Shop tomorrow (7/16/11), and Thursday (7/21/11), please consider joining us again soon when we reopen. But for right now, we have no bikes to offer our community; and, while we would rather be spending our time of service to those in need, we will, instead, be using it to clean up and regroup.

We plan to keep everyone up to date on our progress; but, please check back regularly via our website or Facebook page for more information. We foresee the need for a volunteer only "bike-rebuild" night and/or a bike drive in the near future. If you or anyone you know, are interested in participating, please let me know, and I will keep you informed directly, of dates and times, as they are scheduled.

Although this is a very untimely and unfortunate wrench in our works, we want to THANK YOU, our friends, donors and supporters who have helped us make this summer one of its most successful yet! 

As a side note, Mechanics class, scheduled for Monday, July 18th, will run according to plan. And, so shall our Youth Earn-A-Bike program scheduled for next week. We are looking forward to serving our community's kids and have planned a really special program for them, led by Corry, and with the support of the White Clay Bike Club, DelDot, and our LCI's, John, CeCi, and Paul.

Thank you again for your understanding, and we hope to see you very soon!

Two items for bicyclists, from the Bike Delaware blog:

1) UD police are looking for the public's help in identifying this man, wanted for questioning in the recent disappearance of several bikes from the campus:

He is suspected of taking at least 6 bikes, and in one video is seen slowly cruising downtown Newark on a bike, apparently looking for suitable wheels to steal.  "He is described as 30 to 40 years old, heavy set, with tan skin, dark hair and facial hair."  http://bikedel.blogspot.com/2011/06/ud-police-seek-help-in-identifying-bike.html


2) The Delaware general assembly has just passed a bill earmarking 5 million dollars for bicycling.  This will mean more bike lanes, and generally making the state a better place to take your Schwinn for a spin.

What I'd like to see, actually, is a crackdown on adolescent boys who purposefully dart into traffic on their bikes or razor scooters.  I know kids always did risky things at that age, but I don't remember seeing this particular behavior much until the past couple of years.  Now I see it at least once a week: a group of 3 to 5 boys, 11-14 years old, who ride in circles from one side of the street to the other, darting into the street repeatedly; not to get from point A to point B, but to show off their bravado.  The last time I saw it happen was at a busy Kirkwood highway intersection, at rush hour.  4 boys were taking turns literally dodging cars to get to the thin median strip, and back.   A few times a year we hear that a kid was killed on a bike at a busy intersection, and there's a public outcry about the safety of those intersections.  Maybe the cases are unrelated, but I am not surprised it happens when I see kids more and more often doing these daredevil moves.  If there is any law enforcement reading this and wondering where this is happening frequently, watch the intersection of Kirkwood Highway and Milltown Rd in the afternoon. 

That said, am I complaining about this out of a deep sense of concern for the adolescent boys of Delaware?  Not at all.  Not to be cold-hearted, but such behavior is how most species rid their gene pools of overly-risky rogue members.  But when it puts other people at risk of an accident, and possibly means some poor shmo having to live with a child's death on his conscience when he was just trying to get home from his 9-5, then yes, I wish a cop would drive by and talk to these kids when this is going on.  /old person rant.


http://bikedel.blogspot.com/2011/07/delaware-general-assembly-votes.html

Registration deadline is Wednesday for a July 14th biking class in N. Wilm.

Happy 4th of July, all!

Copied from Bike Delaware's blog:

3 hour League of American Bicyclists (LAB) course:Classroom Instruction and night ride. Will include route selection, bicycle safety, clothing, how to carry gear, etc.

WHERE: Bellevue Corporate Center, Bldg. 200, Suite 250
(Ameriprise Financial)

WHEN: Thursday, July 14, 2011, 6:00 – 9:00 PM
(come at 5:30 PM with dinner, get acquainted, sign in, etc.)

WHO: Registered Participants. To register contact The McCormicks: j.c.mccormick@verizon.net, 302-761-9066

Registration deadline: July 6th.

COST: $20.00 per participant. Payable when signing in on July 14th.

PRESENTERS: John & Cecilia McCormick, Paul Hess
- WCBC (White Clay Bicycle Club) Members
- LCI (League Cycling Instructors)

Good blog for Delaware bike riders to check out:

"Bike Delaware", at http://www.bikedel.blogspot.com/.   It's updated frequently with lengthy, informative posts on bike culture in Delaware.  The most recent post was on the community's opinions on the practice of "salmoning" - biking the wrong direction on a street.  Who knew it was such a controversy?

Wilmington's Grand Prix cycling event & street festival is this weekend.

Running Friday through Sunday and in its 4th consecutive year, Wilmington's Grand Prix is a 'national racing calendar event' with US Cycling, and fills in the gap left behind by the old Tour DuPont. 

There are actually several racing events taking place, including a Monkey Hill Time Trial, men's events, women's events, kid's events, the marquis race that the weekend is named for, and a governor's race from Wilmington to Dover. 

It's far from just racing, though.  A street festival will place DJs and live music on every block and will include family rides and activities, sidewalk sales, bike and skateboarding demonstrations, and vendors from Rodney Square to the Delaware History Museum on Market St.  On Saturday night, race after-parties will be held at Chelsea Tavern, Deep Blue, Vinoteca 921, Public House, and the Queen Theatre.

Definitely check out the website, because there is way more going on with this event than I can list:
http://www.wilmgrandprix.com/

Dust off your bike helmet: Friday is National Bike To Work Day.

May is Bike Month, and Friday is the designated day on which car commuters are encouraged to bike to work. 

Wilmington's organized events:

"Group ride/morning reception/free & secure bike parking/afternoon BBQ. Please consider riding to work on May 20th and meeting up with like minded cyclists at the Bike Boutique from 7:30 to 9 a.m. (11th & Orange) for light refreshments provided by Bike Wilmington. Additionally, the Bike Boutique is offering free secure bike parking from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. After work, join us in the Brandywine Park for BBQ/beverages and the Wilmington Grand Prix's kickoff event starting at 4 p.m. - the Monkey Hill Time Trial (at the intersection of North Van Buren Street and Stadium Drive). Anyone who is interested in riding into work as a group from the Pennsylvania Avenue Park-n-Ride should contact Mike Leventry for more information at mleventry@wilmingtonde.gov"

Newark's organized event:

"Bike-to-Work Day Celebration in Newark Get some exercise. Give the atmosphere and your budget a break. Stop by the Trabant University Center patio to enjoy light refreshments, meet other bicycle commuters, and show your support for bicycling in Newark and in Delaware. See you there! Don’t forget to wear your helmet. organized by the Newark Bicycle Committee in partnership with the Delaware Department of Transportation and TMA Delaware.  Contact Mark Deshon with any questions at deshon@udel.edu". 

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These are the only two official celebrations in the state, but the main point is just to bike to work, if at all possible.  If you would like to check on events planned for your state, use the "find events" search feature at the website of the League of American Bicyclists:  http://www.bikeleague.org/index.php

Will I be participating, you ask?  The easy answer is that I'm not scheduled to work on Friday.  But if I was working, it would be difficult - I work in a job which requires one to be impeccably groomed, and my commute takes a half hour by car.   Probably a better gesture would be for me to take the bus on Bike To Work Day.

Update on Urban Bike Project volunteer opportunity:

I mentioned last week that anyone who volunteers to be a "bike valet" with the UBP during next weekend's Wilmington Grand Prix will get drink comp cards at Public House, as well as access to a free food and drink tent.  Now UBP has announced that volunteers will also get their $10 fee waived for the Governor's Race on Sunday (May 22nd), should they care to take part in the race. 

For info on the Wilmington Grand Prix: http://www.wilmgrandprix.com/GovRide2011.aspx

For info on volunteering with the Urban Bike Project: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Urban-Bike-Project-of-Wilmington/106874902681099

Urban Bike Project of Wilmington needs help for Wilmington's Grand Prix

The first way in which you can help is with bike repair:  if you know any simple or advanced bike repair, the Urban Bike Project of Wilmington could use your help this Saturday night, 6-10pm, in fixing a few kids bikes to be used in the kids race portion of the Wilmington Grand Prix.

The second way in which you can help is by volunteering to be a valet for the Wilmington Grand Prix.  There are time slots available on Saturday, May 21st, from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm.  There is no payment, but Public House is giving comp drink cards to all volunteers, and you will have access to a food and drink tent.  Contact laura@urbanbikeproject.org for details. 

The Wilmington Grand Prix is set to take place the following Saturday, 5/21. 

To learn more about the Urban Bike Project of Wilmington, visit: http://www.urbanbikeproject.org/

Editor's aside: I am so glad I chanced upon a link to this on Facebook.  This kind of endeavor, the UBP, is exactly the kind of thing I intended to cover with this blog.  But, having forgotten the exact name of the organization, I'd been trying to Google it to no avail.  I eventually assumed it no longer existed.  But yay, it exists, and now I can commence stalking them for blog post ideas.   Because this is a great thing for Wilmington, and people need to know about it. 

The Wilmington Grand Prix cycling event is looking for volunteers.

This event will take place from May 20-May 22, 2011

From the website:

"This year’s Grand Prix is set for May 20-22 and has expanded to three days of racing. For the fourth straight year, the Grand Prix has been named to USA Cycling’s prestigious National Racing Calendar (NRC) and, in fact, is one of only three Omniums on this year’s NRC circuit. An Omnium is a multi-event racing format in which points can be earned in each event, leading to an overall winner."

The cycling event, a 5 year old replacement for the old Tour DuPont, includes shorter events on May 20 and May 21 such as the "Monkey Hill time trials", and concludes on the final day with a Wilmington to Dover 111 mile "Governor's Cup Road Race".

Visit the website for information on volunteering:
http://www.wilmgrandprix.com/About.aspx